Sigma Nu - University of Kansas

2 NU NU NU news news news I t's that time again! There is a vibrant buzz around campus, as freshmen embark on the journey of their lives and returning students are filled with excitement to begin another year. For the men of Sigma Nu, there is truly something special about the fall semester. After a long summer, watching the excitement of members returning to 1501 Sigma Nu Place embodies the passion and devotion each man possesses for our fraternity. Nu Welcomes 34 Pledges The executive board and I are incredibly eager to begin what we think will be a year of excellence. After a very successful spring semester, we have had the privilege to welcome 34 new pledges into the 2014 pledge class. The last year of recruiting has been very selective, and our recruitment chairmen have done an amazing job finding men of the highest caliber to live in the house and potentially be initiated into our brotherhood in January. Chapter Aspires for Higher GPA Last semester we achieved an all-chapter GPA of 3.12, putting us well above the all-fraternity average of a 3.01; however, this fall, the chapter has set a goal to raise that GPA to a 3.22. Our scholarship chairman, John Kelsh '13, Nu 2330, has worked diligently with the new pledge class and with active brothers who may need academic guidance to ensure that we remain one of the top scoring fraternities on campus. Giving Back to the Community In addition to scholarship, we have vowed to improve ourselves on the philanthropic side. As a standard, KU and Sigma Nu national require 10 hours of community service per person in our organization. Over the last year, Nu completed more than 2,800 hours of service, or 17.2 hours per member, and raised more than $5,000 for charities, but we are not stopping there! This semester, we have decided to require a minimum of 15 hours of community service per member in an effort to give back even more of our time and treasure. Alumni Support Essential The future of Nu looks incredibly bright; however, I would like to take a moment to talk about our past. Traditionally, Nu Chapter has been one of the strongest Sigma Nu chapters in the country, and much of our past success is owed to the alumni who were actively engaged with undergraduate members. It is no secret that Nu Chapter was struggling to uphold the core values of our fraternity in the early 2000s, which was solidified by the loss of the charter in 2005. I can only imagine the disappointment and betrayal our alumni members felt after hearing about such a dark moment in our chapter's otherwise shining history. I bring up the loss of our charter to draw comparison between then and now. To add perspective, I was in the 6th grade when Nu Chapter lost its charter; I am now a college senior. We are not the same house that we were in the early 2000s. We are a strong group of brothers who are truly dedicated to our fraternity's values and our fraternal vision for the continued success of Nu Chapter. We are on the up-and-up, but we cannot do it alone as a group of 18- to 22-year-old men. We need your support, so I ask you, if you have not recently been engaged with Nu Chapter, please renew your fraternal support with a visit to the chapter house. I truly believe that you will be thoroughly impressed. How You Can Help There are many ways to support the undergraduate chapter. Over the next year, we will be starting a campaign so that we can replace the old, broken wooden tables and chairs in the dining hall. This is a project that has been pushed back numerous times, and we have reached the point that we can no longer afford to wait. The tables and chairs have experienced years of wear and tear, and it is time to lay them to rest. If you are financially able to make a donation for tables and chairs, the undergraduate men of Nu would be incredibly grateful. In addition to, or in lieu of financial support, I would like to ask you to donate your time. I cannot overstate how much the undergraduate members enjoy visits from alumni. It reassures us that we have a support network of brothers from our own chapter. In closing, I thank you for your support of Nu, and I invite you to contact me directly anytime. With Love, Truth, and Honor, Landon Riesenberg '12, Nu 2316 Eminent Commander landon808@gmail.com (405) 830-7582 Brothers enjoyed the annual White Rose Formal. Lieutenant Commander Tommy English '13, Nu 2336, and Eminent Commander Landon Riesenberg '12, Nu 2316, at Grand Chapter in Nashville. Undergraduates Prepare for a Year of Excellence Your Support Is Needed for Continued Success

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